There are so many different types of nursing specialties, how do you choose which one is best for you? Here’s the beginning of a new series, Specialty Nursing. Today we’re going to focus on Med Surg Nursing.
What is Med Surg Nursing?
Med Surg stands for Medical Surgical Nursing. These nurses work on the floor in a hospital that cares for patients who were admitted for a more minor, but still acute, medical or surgical issue. For example, if you fall and break a bone, you may be admitted to the medical surgical unit for observation and pain management until you can receive surgery. Then, once done with surgery, you will come back to the med surg floor to be cared for until discharge.
Patient Load
As a medical surgical nurse, you will be taking care of more patients than other units. In California, you can take up to 5 med surg patients at once. Patients on a medical surgical floor are typically going to be more independent than those on other units. Most of these patients are alert, oriented to some extent, ambulatory (meaning they can walk) and are able to use their call lights.
Med Surg Nurse Job Description
For each of your 5 patients, you are going to be responsible for performing a focused head-to-toe assessment. In addition, you will be administering medications that are both scheduled and as needed (aka PRN medications). As the nurse, you will be responsible for providing any sort of care that has been ordered by the doctor. Including dressing changes, certain skills (see below), monitoring vital signs, and reporting any signs of decline to the provider.
For information on calling the doctor, visit Tips for New Nurses on Calling the Doctor.
Med Surg Nurse Skills
Some skills that medical surgical nurses must know are IV insertion and care, Foley insertion and care, and NG tube insertion and care. Cardiac monitoring, meaning setting up the monitor and being able to interpret the cardiac rhythm strip. Blood sugar monitoring and blood draws. And additionally, management of PICC lines and wound care.
Med Surg Nurse Salary
Medical Surgical Nurses pay varies by state, location, and hospital. According to ZipRecruiter, med surg nurses in California on average make about $47.10 per hour, equating to $97,970 per year. Nationally, med surg nurses make about $103,229 per year.
So, What Makes a Good Medical Surgical Nurse?
A good medical surgical nurse is someone who is comfortable taking care of multiple patients at once. They like treating patients who can communicate their needs for the most part. Med surg nurses don’t mind running around answering call lights and grabbing warm blankets for patients. They understand when a rapid or a code needs to be called and acts accordingly. A medical surgical nurse is someone who is very organized and multitasks like no other all while staying calm and sensitive to patients needs.
Want to Know More…?
Are you interested in learning more about Med Surg Nursing? Head on over to the Specialty Nurse Interview Series to Meet Briana, a Med Surg Nurse!
Do you want to be a Medical Surgical Nurse? Comment below!
Trying to get a job? Check out these helpful posts!
- 12 Popular New Grad Nurse Skills for Your Resume
- How to Set Up Your LinkedIn for Success
- How to Professionally and Successfully Network
- And the entire Landing Your Dream Job Series!
Plus check out the entire Specialty Nursing Series and Specialty Nurse Interview Series!
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